Recently, Flender had been unusually distracted. Apart from drawing lots for matches, he seemed constantly preoccupied.
Anyone even slightly familiar with Flender could tell something was off.
"Maybe the headmaster has something on his mind," Ma Hongjun said uncertainly, scratching his head.
"Pfft, anyone could see that Headmaster Flender's been acting weird lately," Oscar retorted with a smirk.
Ma Hongjun, as Flender's direct disciple, was the only one in Shrek Academy who called him "teacher."
"Don't worry about it. The old man is just being troublesome again. Even if you ask, he won't say anything," Zhao Wuji grumbled, clearly annoyed.
He had already asked Flender twice what was bothering him, but each time, Flender had just scowled and kept silent.
Two strikes are enough—there won't be a third! Zhao Wuji thought, resolutely deciding not to ask again.
Suddenly, a thought seemed to occur to Zhao Wuji, and his expression turned serious.
"By the way, after your match today, make sure to stick close to me! Finish the match and return to the rest area immediately!"
His tone left no room for argument.
Before anyone could ask why, Zhao Wuji continued, his face darkening further.
"Last night, after we returned to the Academy, Shui Bing'er from Tianshui Academy was nearly assassinated!"
"What?!" everyone exclaimed, shocked.
"She's their team captain! Even she was targeted?"
"Indeed. If not for Dream God Machine from Heaven Dou Royal Academy passing by at the right moment, Shui Bing'er would be dead," Zhao Wuji said grimly.
"The assassin escaped, unfortunately. But this kind of underhanded act disgusts me."
Tang San muttered to himself, "It's likely because Shui Bing'er and Xue Wu revealed their spirit fusion ability. Their opponent must have felt threatened and decided to eliminate Shui Bing'er preemptively."
Though his voice was low, everyone present was a Spirit Elder or stronger; they all heard him clearly.
"Tang San, since when were you this smart?" Zhao Wuji blurted out reflexively.
Tang San: "???"
He looked at Zhao Wuji, bewildered. Have I not always been smart? What made Zhao Wuji suddenly say this?
Zhao Wuji quickly recovered and patted Tang San's shoulder.
"It's good that you've identified the reason," Zhao Wuji said. "But you're a twin martial spirit user with extraordinary talent. Your opponents might target you as well, so stay vigilant."
Tang San nodded calmly. To him, this was just the kind of treatment a genius should expect.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai's lips twitched. If this were the original timeline, Shi Nian truly would have targeted Tang San!
Speaking of Shi Nian, the guy had a head spirit bone that would suit Ning Rongrong perfectly. Should he find an excuse to... ahem...
Actually, there was no need for excuses. Shi Nian violated tournament rules by hunting down young talents; his actions were already deserving of death!
"Rongrong, come with me for a moment," Dai Mubai said suddenly, taking Ning Rongrong's hand and leading her to a quiet corner under the puzzled gazes of their teammates.
"What's the matter, Mubai?" Ning Rongrong asked. Their relationship was no secret, so she wasn't embarrassed.
Dai Mubai leaned in and whispered, explaining how she should contact her father, Ning Fengzhi, and what to tell him.
While Dai Mubai could handle Shi Nian himself, constantly taking action personally wasn't the demeanor of a true leader.
Ning Rongrong blinked in surprise but nodded. It was a good thing for her father and future son-in-law to communicate more.
"Alright, once we're at the arena, I'll go find Father and Grandpa Sword," Ning Rongrong said.
After breakfast, the Shrek team arrived at the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena.
True to her word, Ning Rongrong went to meet her father, Ning Fengzhi, and Sword Douluo, Chen Xin.
Zhao Wuji approached the team with a broad grin.
"Hey, good news! Your opponents have forfeited today's match."
"Elephant Armored Academy conceded?"
The Shrek team was surprised. The Elephant Armored Academy was one of the Five Elemental Academies and backed by the Elephant Armored Clan, whose patriarch, Hu Yan Zhen, was a level-89 Spirit Douluo!
"Who cares why they conceded? Doesn't matter," Zhao Wuji said dismissively.
Just then, a refined-looking middle-aged man and an elderly swordsman with sharp brows and deep eyes approached the Shrek team's rest area. Beside them was Ning Rongrong, who had gone to fetch them.
"Ah, welcome, Sect Master Ning and Sword Douluo!" Zhao Wuji greeted them warmly.
"Vice Headmaster Zhao, you're too polite," Ning Fengzhi replied with a smile. "Today, I'm just here as a student's parent."
Chen Xin nodded silently but scrutinized Zhao Wuji closely. After a moment, a slight frown crossed his face before vanishing.
This Zhao Wuji is unusual. Despite being only a Spirit Douluo, he exudes the presence of a Titled Douluo.
After greeting Zhao Wuji, Ning Fengzhi turned his attention to Tang San.
"I didn't expect the son of an old friend to be Rongrong's classmate. Tang San, you should visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan sometime."
Tang San blinked in surprise.
"Sect Master Ning, you know my father?"
"Of course. Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao and I are old acquaintances," Ning Fengzhi said warmly. "Since you're friends with Rongrong, just call me Uncle Ning. Sect Master Ning feels too formal."
"Clear Sky Douluo…" Tang San murmured.
He wasn't a clueless beginner anymore. A "Douluo" title confirmed Titled Douluo status.
So my father is a Titled Douluo... a Clear Sky Douluo... and from the Clear Sky Clan. His position must be significant.
Tang San was about to ask more questions when Ning Fengzhi turned to Dai Mubai, his expression shifting from polite to genuinely delighted.
"???"
The others were bewildered by Ning Fengzhi's change in attitude.
Isn't Dai Mubai just your son-in-law? Does he really deserve this level of favoritism?
It became abundantly clear that Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's master, was deeply satisfied with his future son-in-law.
"Mubai, it's been months since we last met. Why haven't you come to visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?" Ning Fengzhi said, his tone warm and inviting.
(End of Chapter)